There’s a little-known trick on Samsung phones that allows you to do something really neat just using a hidden QR code.
Samsung phones are sleek, powerful and beloved, but you’d be surprised how some of their handy utility features go under the radar.
Here I’ve found some useful hidden features that even some long-time Samsung mobile users may have missed.
Secret cursor
Have you ever made a spelling mistake in the middle of a sentence or paragraph? Often we fumble trying to tap the mistake or word to go back and correct it. However, there’s an easier way to fix mistakes that’s not commonly known.
Simply long press and hold the space bar on the keyboard to activate what’s called ‘cursor control’. This allows you to move the cursor precisely anywhere within your previously typed text. Just move your finger around across the keyboard area and it will act like a trackpad that you’d find on a laptop. This is insanely helpful, especially if you have large fingers or trouble with precise interactions on touchscreens.
Charge other phones
This has to be one of my favourite lesser known features of Samsung phones. Did you know they can actually charge other phones? All you have to do is find a cable that fits into your Samsung’s charging port with an opposite end that fits the other phone’s charging port, which needs charging.
For example, you could use a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 to charge an iPhone 13 if you have a USB-C to Lightning cable. In fact, this is exactly what I tested.
I also tried using a Samsung phone to charge a Google Pixel, which also worked. It isn’t the fastest charge but if you need more juice at a pinch it really works.
Instant silence
There are times when we are unaware of how loud our phone’s volume is until we get a call or an alarm goes off that’s a lot louder than anticipated. Well, instead of wondering what to do when your phone begins ringing loudly in a quiet situation, did you know, you can place your hand over the phone’s screen to instantly mute it?
It’s instantaneous and incredibly satisfying to tell it to hush by swiftly covering it. Again, this works to mute other features such as timers or alarms. Alternatively, you can flip the phone over, backside up, to mute it.
Share your Wi-Fi with a friend
You know when someone wants to connect to your home Wi-Fi and you have to annoyingly go and find the Wi-Fi password for them? Well, this is no longer a problem. Once you learn this hidden tip, you can almost instantly connect your friends to the same Wi-Fi network that your phone is connected to.
Go to Settings > Connections > Tap Wi-Fi > then click the Settings Cog icon next to the ‘current network’ you’re connected to.
On the next page find the QR code at the bottom left corner of your screen. This will bring up a QR code that your friends can scan with their phone’s camera which will instantly connect them to the Wi-Fi network (yes, it even shares the Wi-Fi password privately to the device).
You’re also able to save this Wi-Fi code as an image if you’d prefer to find this QR code in your camera roll the next time it’s needed or you can share it via messages. Isn’t it fantastic?
Elly Awesome is an Aussie tech and lifestyle vlogger | @ellyawwesome | YouTube